FACTORS INFLUENCING THE LONG-TERM RESULTS OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSM REPAIR

The incidence of late graft complications such as para-anastomotic ane urysms, aortoenteric fistulas and graft infections following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is a major determinant of its benefit, y et most published reports of AAA repair have concentrated almost exclu sively on the early postoperative mortality and morbidity. Accurate kn owledge regarding the incidence of late complications is essential to making any decision regarding the operative vs non-operative managemen t of AAAs. A similar analysis must be applied to endovascular repair o f AAAs before this technique is accepted as an alternative method of t reating AAAs. In this article we review the current knowledge and unde rstanding on the late results following aortic aneurysm repair.